Former White Sox slugger Gavin Sheets is in agreement with the San Diego Padres on a minor league contract, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. The deal will come with a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Sheets, 28, was estimated to make $2.6 million in arbitration this offseason, which led to him entering free agency after being non-tendered in November. In 139 games, the former second-round draft pick slashed just .233/.303/.357 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, an 88 wRC+, and -0.9 fWAR. Though he could be considered valuable as a situational lefty bat, Sheets’ poor offensive output in 2024 diminished that notion and led to his departure.
Originally drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft by the White Sox, Sheets made his debut in 2021. Similar to Andrew Vaughn at the time, the first baseman was converted to a corner outfielder in order to make his way into the lineup. Perhaps his biggest moment came in Game 5 of the ALDS when he opened the scoring with a home run to dead-center field.
WHITE SOX TAKE THE LEAD!!!
Gavin Sheets solo shot! pic.twitter.com/arYpHYtO3i
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 12, 2021
Sheets finished his four-year tenure hitting .230/.295/.385 with 116 homers and an 89 wRC+ over 435 games. He took to Instagram shortly before reports of this deal to thank White Sox fans.
“Chicago will always be a special place to me. Thank you for the memories.”
via Gavin Sheets/Instagram.
On behalf of everyone at Sox On 35th, we’d like to wish Gavin nothing but the best in his future endeavors.
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